Ramage named captain of U.S. junior team

BUFFALO — The United States national junior team has tapped three returning players to lead the squad in defence of its world junior hockey championship crown.

USA Hockey announced Friday that defenceman John Ramage has been named captain of this year’s team, while centre Ryan Bourque and forward Jeremy Morin will take on the roles of alternate captains. All three were members of last year’s team that won the gold medal at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in January in Saskatoon.

Ramage, the son of former National Hockey League defenceman Rob Ramage, is in his second season at the University of Wisconsin. He was drafted in the fourth round (103rd overall) in the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Calgary Flames.

Bourque, the son of former NHL great Ray Bourque, is in his second year with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Quebec Remparts. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the third round, 80th overall, in the 2009 NHL entry draft.

Morin was loaned to the junior team by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. The 19-year-old, who was drafted by Atlanta in the second round (45th overall) in the 2009 draft, scored two goals and added one assist in nine games with the Blackhawks this season.

The U.S. team opens up its tournament on Sunday in Buffalo against Finland